By Alex Robinson
Colleagues and friends held a mass Monday to remember Steven Frosch, a city Sanitation Department worker who died in Maspeth Saturday after he was struck by a street sweeper.
He had been making adjustments to his own sweeper in a garage when a friend and colleague, who had not seen Frosch, accidently drove over him, police said.
“Everybody liked Steve,” Harry Nespoli, president of the Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association, said in an interview. “If somebody came on hard times, Steve would be the one to help that person out. He was liked throughout Queens West. Everybody knew him.”
A father of four from Garden City, L.I., Frosch worked as a police officer for five years before making the switch to DSNY in 1999.
His wife had just given birth to the couple’s fourth child two months ago, Nespoli said.
When reached for comment, relatives said Frosch’s wife was too distraught to speak with the media. Nespoli said he went to meet with her Tuesday to offer his condolences.
“Walking into a house that’s full of children and people and realizing Steve isn’t going to be there anymore was very difficult. It’s going to be hard.” Nespoli said.
The mass was held at the garage, at 48-01 58th Road, where Frosch, 43, worked and died. The city made counselors available for any of Frosch’s colleagues who needed their services.
“Sanitation work is very dangerous and difficult work, and we appreciate those who accept the call to duty. Our hearts go out to the Frosch family on their loss,” DSNY Commissioner Kathryn Garcia said in a statement.
Friends launched a donation campaign for Frosch’s family shortly after news spread of his death on gofundme.com. The group had already amassed more than $31,000 by the end of Tuesday.
A wake for Frosch was held at Franklin Funeral Home in Franklin Square, L.I., Wednesday and Thursday. A funeral was set for Friday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Manhattan.
Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a statement Saturday offering his condolences to Frosch’s family.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of one of New York’s Strongest today while on the job in service of our city,” de Blasio said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Steven Frosch’s family — especially his wife and four children — as well as his friends and fellow sanitation workers. New York City stands ready to support them all in this tragic time of need.”
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
